Improvement in electric lamps



R. A. KIPLING. Electric-Lamp.

No. 222,503. Patented Dec. 9,1879.

[NVENTOR r 1 a I 5% ATTORNEYS.

N.FETERS. FHOTOLITHOGRAPHER WASH NGTO D c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD A. KIPLING, OF ROSELLE, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN ELECTRIC LAMPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 222.503, (lated December 9, 1879; application filed April 18, 1879; patented in France, January 9, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Brennan A. KrPLrNe, of Roselle, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and I n1- proved Electric Lamp, of which the following is a specification.

Figure l is an elevation of the lamp, partly in section. Fig. 2 is a crosssection on linear. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the cylinder with its movable iron core and its helix of insulated wire. Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevated view, partly in section, of adjusting mechanism of the carbons. Fig. 5 is a sectional plan of a modified design for carbons. Fig. 6 is a plan of an arrangement of two continuous carbons.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of this invention is to provide an electric lamp with carbons crossed so that they can be fed, by simple contrivances, directly against each other, point to point, in such a manner that the luminous arc shall be formed around the carbon points where they meet, and shall cast no shadow below them.

The invention consists of the fixed cylinder A, containing a movable soft-iron core, 13, surrounded by the insulated wire helix O,between which and the core is the insulating wooden spool 13. To the lower and projecting end of this core is attached the cross-head D, from each end of which depend the arms E E, that support in grooved stirrups WV W, in their lower extremities, the carbons F F, through which the positive current passes.

Secured to opposite sides of the cylinder and projecting and curving downward are the like arms G G, that carry the carbons H H, through which the negative current passes. These arms are a little longer than the arms E E, so that the negative carbons may be below the positive ones. At the level of the lower edge of the cylinder each arm is furnished with an outward and upward projecting branch, I I, with a pulley, K, in the fork thereof, while in the stirrup of the lower extremity of each arm is a pulley, L, pivoted on a pin that has a vertical movement in a slot, 1).

Passing over the pulleys K K and under the pulleys L L are chains M M, whose lower ends are connected with the outer ends of the carbons, while to their other ends are fixed the weights N N, that serve to draw the carbons equally together as they are wasted away, so that the electric arc is always of the same width and keeps its fixed position. The movement of the carbons is further guided and controlled by the grooved pulleys O O, that bear on them and hold them down in a horizontal position. As these pulleys O O are connected by the bent arms 1? P to the shafts of the pulleys L L, it will be seen that the upward pull of the weights N N on the pulleys L L must cause the pulleys O O to press down in response to the pull upon the carbons.

The mechanism herein described is suspended from a head-piece, Q, by chains R It, passing over the pulleys S S.

The electric current is applied to the wire T, passes down the wire, in which no insulator is shown, to the core B, thence, following the'direction of the arrows, through the cross-head D, down the arms E E, to the carbons; thence to the lower carbons, H H, and arms G G, through the helix of the wire at f, and thence, by wire 9, to the head-piece, and along the wire V, in completion of the circuit.

By the application of the current, and until it is cut off, the core B is drawn slightly up ward, so that the positive carbons are to that degree raised above those through which the negative current passes, by which means the electric arc is formed and the electric current made to turn around the outside of all the car= bons where they cross. The proof of this is shown-in practice when all the carbons are alike wasted to a point, and no shadow is cast below.

The advantage gained by placing the carbons in the stirrups with grooved wheels holding them in position is that their expansion under the influence of the electric current does not interfere with'the free horizontal movement.

By crossing the four carbons, as shown, a more extended surface of carbon is furnished for combustion in proportion to the length of the arc than is done in any other lamp. With this feeding device the length of the are can vary but little and rarely, and the carbons are held so securely and fed so gradually that they cannot overlap each other.

Instead of using solid carbons in every instance, I sometimes use a hollow one, Y, with a loose one, Y, inside, that shall run into an opposite hollow one, Z, as shown in Fig. 5. This arrangement gives excellent results, and is an absolute preventive of overlappin A further important modification of the carbons or their arrangement consists in applying, in the first instance, but two, U Uon e continuous one for the positive and one for the negative currentcrossin g each other, as shown in Fig. 6. When the electric current is applied they begin to consume from or at the point of crossing, and, gradually burning, sharpen to points and separate at the centers, making four points. By this arrangement a very considerable economy in carbons is socured.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. An electric lamp in which are arranged two crossing pairs of carbons that do not contact with each other, the carbons of one pair being pressed against each other at a higher level than and at an angle to those of the other pair, as shown and described.

2. In an electric lamp, the mechanism for holding and feeding the carbons, consisting of arms E E and G G, with their branches I, pulleys K LO,bent arms P, chains M, and Weights N, substantially as shown and described.

3. The hollow carbon Y, containing a solid carbon, Y, to be fed into the hollow carbon Z, as and for the purpose set forth.

4.. The combination, in an electric lamp, of the core B, spool B, helix 0, crosshead D, arms E G, branches I, pulleys K L O, stirrups W, bent arms P, chains M, and weights N with the carbons UU, as shown and described.

RICHARD A. KIPLING.

Witnesses:

O. SEDGWIOK, I. I. S'ronnn. 

